Millions of drivers will experience the advantages of the world's first all-electronic toll collection system (that allows access to all potential users) when Highway 407ETR - Express Toll Route opens in Toronto in early 1997. The $1 billion, 69 km urban all-electronic expressway has 29 interchanges and 128 ramp toll collection lanes. Traffic is expected to be in the range of 55,000 vehicles of average traffic volume per day with a capacity of 90,000. There will be no toll booths or plazas and toll collection will be at full highway speeds for both transponder and non-transponder equipped vehicles. Electronic tollways offer several advantages over traditional toll roads They are less expensive to build and operate and are safer and more efficient. The system technology employed on Highway 407 is leading edge and uses fibre for transmitting its information and pictures from the roadside to the Operations Centre. The communication systems, the tolling components and the processing systems are monitored on-site from a central operations management area. This paper describes the key elements of the Highway 407 system and its operational aspects. Highway 407 is being developed through a public-private partnership between the Ontario Transportation Capital Corporation (OTCC) and Canadian Highways International Corporation (CHIC). Technology suppliers include: Hughes Aircraft of Canada (system integrator), Bell SYGMA, Bell Canada and Mark IV. (A)
Abstract